The results of R & D activities appear in scientific
publications. These are journal articles, research reports, conference
papers, university publications, textbooks, patent documents and other
information sources in printed form or on electronic data carriers.
The publication is the printed reflection of the work
of a scientist. The quantity of publications of a group of researchers
and developers which is definable in terms of research subject, time
and place reflects the activities of the group.
Each one of change of this image, recognizable in the
frequency distributions of the publications, is in the rule the result
of changes in the R&D-processes that take place in front
of the publications.
The frequency distributions therefore permit to draw
conclusions about the course of the relevant research and development processes.
Draw of such conclusions is possible under several
aspects:
- with reference to themes,
i.e. fields, orientations or topics of R&D;
- with reference to time, i.e.
defined periods of time;
- with reference to location,
i.e. institutions, countries or country-groups.
Of great importance
are cognitions about formation of thematic and territorial nodal
points in research and development. Also significant are informations
about ending or breaking off existing works or about setting new targets
for such works (table
3).
For the recognizing of frequency distributions the
scientometric analysis of bibliographic online databases containing the
various publications is a powerful instrument.
By means of this instrument it is possible to obtain
condensed information about worldwide publication activities of the last
years and of the present time.
It also allows short-term-forecasts of the expected
main trends in publication activities of the nearest future.